Gates weighed in on people’s concerns about data collection by corporations and the government – he doesn’t share them – as well as today’s tech economy, Google and terrorism. As to Snowden, the former security contractor who blew the lid on a massive National Security Agency data-mining program, Gates said he’s not a fan.

“I certainly wouldn’t characterize him as a hero,” Gates told Rolling Stone. “If he wanted to raise the issues and stay in the country and engage in civil disobedience or something of that kind, or if he had been careful in terms of what he had released, then it would fit more of the model of ‘OK, I’m really trying to improve things.’

“You won’t find much admiration from me.”

Bill Gates

Gate’s answer to what computer he was using during the AMA: I am using a Perceptive Pixel display right now – huge Windows 8 touch whiteboard. These will come down in price over time and be pervasive.